Former Defense Secretary Rumsfeld Buys Mont. Ranch

Former U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and his wife have purchased a 940-acre ranch on the Big Hole River in Montana's Madison County, his spokesman confirmed Thursday.

"Mrs. (Joyce) Rumsfeld was born in Montana, she has relatives in the state and the Rumsfelds have always thought very well of the state," spokesman Keith Urbahn told The Montana Standard Thursday. "They plan to spend some time out there to enjoy it."

The property south of Twin Bridges includes hayfields, wetlands and river frontage. Urbahn said the Rumsfelds have no plans to develop the property.

"He enjoys outdoor sports, and I'm sure they'll get out there on the river from time to time and fish it," he said.

Rumsfeld, 77, served four terms in Congress from Illinois in 1963-69, was a member of President Richard Nixon's cabinet and served as defense secretary during the Ford Administration. He was also defense secretary for President George W. Bush for six years, overseeing the military invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq. He also worked many years in private business.